Weekly News Roundup – February 22, 2013

The National Wildlife Federation hosted a teleconference with representatives from three of America’s leading conservation organizations to explore how much BP could be facing at trial, what this case means for restoring the Gulf of Mexico and what a just outcome for the American people would look like.February 22-With a February 25 trial date looming, BP and the U.S. Department of Justice will either reach a settlement or go to trial within the next few days.

February 21-The U.S. Department of the Interior today issued a Record of Decision that formally adopts a new Integrated Activity Plan that protects wildlife habitat within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, also known as the Western Arctic Reserve. The final plan provides a balanced approach that preserves five unique Special Areas, including Teshekpuk Lake, Utukok Uplands, Kasegaluk Lagoon, Peard Bay and Colville River, which are critical to fish, wildlife, recreation and Alaska Native subsistence.

Adam Kolton, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation’s National Advocacy Center, said today:

“We commend the Department of the Interior for adopting a balanced plan within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. This plan recognizes the critical role of special places in the Reserve for unique subsistence, recreational, scenic and wildlife values. It is the first ever comprehensive plan that has been completed for the entire Reserve, and it shows that, where appropriate, oil and gas development can move forward while taking into account the needs of wildlife and the surrounding communities.

February 19-National Wildlife Federation (NWF) will be helping children get to the root of things during the 75th annual National Wildlife Week, March 18-24. Families, youth organizations, and communities will be coming together to celebrate the many ways trees help sustain local wildlife and enhance the environment. With a theme of “Branching Out For Wildlife,” the week, sponsored by NWF, will also provide opportunities to restore habitat and re-build communities by planting trees where they can do the most good.

School and youth groups can apply to host a tree planting with NWF which will provide native trees adapted to the local climate. The National Wildlife Week website provides a guide to help organize an event by giving step-by-step instructions to ensure that the planted trees grow and thrive. More than 100 events are already being planned across the country including several in the New York metro and New Jersey areas in an effort to restore wildlife habitat destroyed by Superstorm Sandy last year.